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Just when you thought mortgage interest rates couldn’t get any lower… you were right. It looks like rates could face a steady rise this year. But, there’s good news too. 2022 could bring more housing inventory, continued home equity increases, and still historically low rates (albeit, a bit higher than 2021). While we can’t peer into the […]

The pros and cons of 7 top countertop materials Replacing a scratched, scorched, stained, or just plain unattractive countertop can transform any kitchen. Happily, there are lots of options in a wide range of prices. A new laminate countertop can cost as little as $5 per square foot. Or you could easily spend 10 times […]

Living near water is a delicate balance: it’s nice to have a body of water close by, but not so nice when it’s creeping into your basement. Water can be extremely destructive to a home. A single inch of floodwater can cause up to $25,000 in damage, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). […]

Central air costs about $3,000 to $7,000 on average. Save by hiring the right contractor, scheduling installation in the off-season and using rebates or tax credits. Summer heats up fast when all you have is a fan to cool you down. Central air conditioning could solve all your sweaty problems, but the price may knock […]

To build or not to build — that’s a question on many business owners’ minds. That’s because they’ve heard about how some building material prices have risen in the past year, making them think twice about that new facility or expansion project.  Prices for lumber, steel, and some other building materials have sent residential building […]

There are so many different details to consider when designing or renovating your home—and that includes plenty of different flooring options. Choosing the right floors is an important part of bringing together the entire look of your space, and they should provide you with the right functionality as well. It’s not enough for flooring options to just […]

Along with so many others across the U.S., the pandemic shook my family up to the point that we realized we needed to make a big change. In our case, the change was moving — which meant saying goodbye to the home I thought I’d raise my family in. The emotional upheaval was intense, but eventually, […]

Before you begin, think about spaces that have made you feel calmed and how they were arranged. Shalae Price, a professional organizer, gives hotel rooms as an example, “Most hotel rooms are designed to feel much bigger than they actually are. The furniture placement is well thought-out and the decor (in most cases) would be considered […]

There’s no doubt that buying a home is a major life decision, but is it right for you? Of course, there’s no single correct answer, as there are pros and cons to both renting and buying. A major factor in anyone’s decision-making process, though, is one’s personal finances. In most cases, renting seems to be the more affordable […]

The Federal Reserve is one of many influences on mortgage rates, along with inflation, economic growth and other elements. The Federal Reserve doesn’t set mortgage rates, but it does affect mortgage rates indirectly. Mortgage rates are determined by many elements, including the inflation rate, the pace of job creation, and whether the economy is growing […]